The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-08-27
PERSONAL POLITICS.
Editor ZelegrapA:

Editor Telegraph:
A stranger coming to Louisiana just
now t. study politics and Democracy,
party methods and governmental sci
ence, as Goldsmith's Chinese philoso-
pher once went on a superstitious visit
10 England, would reach the conclusion
that there we're but two men In the
State eligible to the Office of chief ex-
ecutivc. Nichols, on the ground that
he is the most t'available'' man-to do
what with?-to put out McEnery's
crowd, rather than McEncry, and to
put In the crowd that found Nichols,
and not Nichols and McEnery, SIM
ply on the ground that his crowd want
to stay In and they have to stick to
McEnery In order to do this. In short
there are two scape-goats put up for
sincerity In the people in selecting be-
tween the two, there is not so much as
an ounce of that "sweet civit" in the
whole crowd of wire-pullers on either
or both sides, who expect to profit by
the election Of their man. Col. Hol-
lingsworth won't deny that Nichols
Is not his choice, above all men in Lou
isiana for the place, but when he is
confronted with this proposition no
will begin to talk about "practical pol
itics," which he interprets rs "anybody
to beat McEnery," aud which really
means Gibson aud Blanchard for the
Senate. The same is true of the honest
men, the men of character and public
virtue, like Hollingsworth, who are
supporting McEnery. Their support
of him means Eustis and running
mate, maybe Boatner, maybe Jonas.
There are some few men on either side
who are heartily, honestly and sin,
cereIy Nichols men or McEnery men,
as the case may be. For example,
Judge E. D. White is, perhaps, a sim
cere Nichols man and why? We
won't say because he expects to get
back on the Supreme bench If Nichols
succeeds, though we can't see that he
Is slandered by such an imputation any
more than Senator Gibson is by SIM
liar suggestion, or Mr.. Eustis is by a
like one on tho other hand. But
White, we believe, Is sincere, because
he Is conscious that the arraignment of
Nichols policy and administration is
an arraienment Of himself, for the rea-
son that he had more influence with
Nichols than Nichols had with him
self, when the latter was in power. So
has McEnery fow such supporters,
for like reasons, but they can be count
ed on ones fingers.
Now, frankly and fairly, is this sort
of politics Democratic? Is it honest =?
Is it not purely personal The people
have the right to demand that Gibson,
on one side, and Eustis, on the other,
stand for Office on their merits, and
their followers are not patriots, not
Democrats, when they strive to rise to
place and power by fomenting schism
and faction in the Democratic party,
! and that is what both are doing. Glib,
son is hiding behind the gallant and
MANNED soldier, Nichols, and thereby
provoking criticism of him and bitter
criticism, even abuse, of his Democratic
| administration, which should never be
wrung by such means from the lips of
Louisiana Democrats. On the other
hand, Eustis Is hiding behind McEn-
ery's administration, for which the
Democratic party Is fully responsible,
and thus helping to bring that into
disrepute. We do not believe the
Democrats of Louisiana, the true cold
guard" are prepared, or can afford to
repudlate or denounce either of those
administrations. But there are fac,
tionists who are prepared to do 1t, and
are doing it deliberately and selhshly.
One need not be fulfilled with the
"solemn strength of prophecy" to FORE
tell where this self-seeking and factional
policy will end. 1t will end In making
of the negro the arbiter between the
two factions. Among the people, now
| to-day, there is no faction in the Dem.
ocratic party, in Louisiana, but, on the
contrary, the masses are now solemnly